Enrolment trending up

Photo: Contributed

Final numbers won't be in for another week or so, but if the current trend continues, enrolment at Central Okanagan schools will blow through initial projections.

The district had anticipated an increase of about 350 students over last year, however, SD23 Supt. Kevin Kaardal says that number now stands at about 450 additional students.

"More students means more funding, and that goes to support students," says Kaardal.

"Most of our funding goes to support staffing."

But, in a district that was already at 104 per cent of capacity, the additional students does present some challenges.

One of those continues to be around busing.

Numerous parents have spoken out about either delays in being notified or their child's removal after several years of riding the bus.

Kaardal says the district is continuing to work through that.

"We are still in the process in terms of sorting through 2,000 late applicants that we had for transportation. Over 600 of those applied after Sept. 1.

"At that time, I think we had about 300 eligible riders we were still trying to get on the bus, and we're working on that process.

"There is a wait list for courtesy riders at this time. Unfortunately we won't be able to meet everyone's hopes, but we will get all eligible riders on a bus."

Because of growth in some neighbourhoods, Kaardal says some students who had been allowed a seat on a bus as a courtesy rider have been left out as the bus fills with eligible riders.